We left a flurry of dust behind. The warm hue of the December dawn seeped in through the tainted glass. The feeling was nothing less than euphoria. As the car took a twisted turn onto the Goa highway seven of us packed into the SUV had already broken into tuneless songs that oozed out without any hindrance. The gray patch ahead flanked by lushness of the young grass and a white cloud dotted sky couldn’t depict exuberance better.
A 6 hour drive to this wonderful cosy nook tucked away in a not so familiar corner of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is a must watch for those who are dying for a desperate weekend break from the life strangulated by time in Mumbai/Pune, or those who couldn’t manage to book themselves a shack in Goa. Take your camera, a backpack and a football / Frisbee if you want some action on the beach. Tea and breakfast in the roadside dhabas is savoured with delight.
The dhabas are the last spot till which you will find the multicultural cacophony of picnic goers after which it surprisingly disappears making you wonder if you are actually leaving behind civilization (if you can call it civil).
The wind the song, Mahadev the driver’s penchant for adventure and surprises (avoiding a head on collision with a bus in split of a second, and casually admitting that he was just trying to scare the bus driver. And we all thought we were dead) added to the charm of the journey. With the beginning of the red rocky rough terrain a blast of saline freshness hits you and you know the sea is near. The white sand glittering in the setting sun, a few people scattered on the beach and a lovely rock lined way taking you straight down to the sea is all that you can ever wish for.
It is one of the cleanest beach that I have ever seen in India . Guess the reason … The huge temple of Ganesha loomed at the edge of the beach and the God’s abode must be kept spotless. Even if you are a hardcore atheist you must go and thank Ganesha, once during your stay, (for that is what we did) for keeping this place in India so wonderfully pristine . The blemish free ambience lets you inhale the air and feel blissful.
We stayed at a comfortable lodge close by, but if you book in advance you may be lucky enough to get a place in the MTDC bungalows. Or else you can always land up there for a meal of delicious lobsters.
A ramble on the sand wetting your feet, a refreshing morning bath and you might just want to explore the cold blue backwaters, sparkling and inviting to make it your private swimming pool.
Dinner at the Konkan restaurants gives a spicy break to our taste bud.
The Raigad fort adds to the old world charm. A minimum of 2 nights and 3 days are preferable in Ganapatipule.
The only downside for youngsters is the unavailability of alcohol. But you can always pack them in your car generously and behave responsibly.
Summary:
How to reach: 6 hour drive from Panvel. Book a car or there are Volvo buses available.
Must have: Cocum (a local fruit) sarbat. And coconut
Best part: Famished after a swim/ football match followed by a sumptuous lunch at the garden restaurant of MTDC overlooking the sea.
A 6 hour drive to this wonderful cosy nook tucked away in a not so familiar corner of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is a must watch for those who are dying for a desperate weekend break from the life strangulated by time in Mumbai/Pune, or those who couldn’t manage to book themselves a shack in Goa. Take your camera, a backpack and a football / Frisbee if you want some action on the beach. Tea and breakfast in the roadside dhabas is savoured with delight.
The dhabas are the last spot till which you will find the multicultural cacophony of picnic goers after which it surprisingly disappears making you wonder if you are actually leaving behind civilization (if you can call it civil).
The wind the song, Mahadev the driver’s penchant for adventure and surprises (avoiding a head on collision with a bus in split of a second, and casually admitting that he was just trying to scare the bus driver. And we all thought we were dead) added to the charm of the journey. With the beginning of the red rocky rough terrain a blast of saline freshness hits you and you know the sea is near. The white sand glittering in the setting sun, a few people scattered on the beach and a lovely rock lined way taking you straight down to the sea is all that you can ever wish for.
It is one of the cleanest beach that I have ever seen in India . Guess the reason … The huge temple of Ganesha loomed at the edge of the beach and the God’s abode must be kept spotless. Even if you are a hardcore atheist you must go and thank Ganesha, once during your stay, (for that is what we did) for keeping this place in India so wonderfully pristine . The blemish free ambience lets you inhale the air and feel blissful.
We stayed at a comfortable lodge close by, but if you book in advance you may be lucky enough to get a place in the MTDC bungalows. Or else you can always land up there for a meal of delicious lobsters.
A ramble on the sand wetting your feet, a refreshing morning bath and you might just want to explore the cold blue backwaters, sparkling and inviting to make it your private swimming pool.
Dinner at the Konkan restaurants gives a spicy break to our taste bud.
The Raigad fort adds to the old world charm. A minimum of 2 nights and 3 days are preferable in Ganapatipule.
The only downside for youngsters is the unavailability of alcohol. But you can always pack them in your car generously and behave responsibly.
Summary:
How to reach: 6 hour drive from Panvel. Book a car or there are Volvo buses available.
Must have: Cocum (a local fruit) sarbat. And coconut
Best part: Famished after a swim/ football match followed by a sumptuous lunch at the garden restaurant of MTDC overlooking the sea.
2 comments:
Goa jabo...waaah!! :(
but...great post.. felt am already in Goa :)
Ganapatipuleeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
what about the backwater which we crossed....and the ghost stories at 12!!!!
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